Nutrition recieved via assimilation by pinocytosis/phagocytosis
Examples include:
Entoamoeba histolytica - spread via water or food contaminated with cysts. Symptoms are: loose stools, stomach pain and stomach cramping. Treatment: idoquinol, metronidazole and chloroquine.
Naegleria fowleri - rare cause of meningoencephalitis. Spread via water. Some cases have been treated with amphotericin B.
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Ciliates
Unicellular
Have cyst and trophozoite forms
Reproduce by binary fission or conjugation
Move due to cilia
Facultative anaerobe
Nutrition: ingestion via cytostome, food vacuole.
Example:
Balatidium coli - only species pathogenic to humans. Produces proteolytic cytotoxins which facilitate tissue invasion and intestinal mucosal ulceration. Via faecal-oral route. Symptoms: abdominal pain and watery diarrhoea. Treatment: tetracycline or metronidazole.
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Flagellates
Unicellular
Have cyst and trophozoite forms
Possibly intracellular
Reproduce via binary fission
Organells of locomotion: flagella
Facultative anaerobe
Nutrition: simple diffusion or ingestion via cytostome, pinocytosis or phagocytosis
For example:
Giardia intestinalis - spread via ingestion of contaminated water or food, or direct person-to-person spread via faecal-oral route. Symptoms: diarrhoea, malabsorption. Treatment: tinidazole or metronidazole.
Trichomonas vaginalis - parasite of human urogenital system. Results in watery vaginal discharge. Treatment: metronidazole.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis - transmitted via sandfly. Infection remains localised. Caused by L. tropica, L. major or L. mexicana complex. Treatment: sodium stibogluconate.
Mucosal leishmaniasis - caused by L. braziliensis complex. Symptoms: tissue destruction, ulceration and disfigurament. Treatment: sodium stibogluconate or amphotericin B.
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Sporozoa
Unicellular
Frequently intracellular
Multiple forms: trophozoites, sporozoites, cysts and gametes.
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